A cascade approach towards the gephyrotoxins

The aim of this project was to develop a cascade approach towards perhydropyrrolo-[1,2-a]-quinolines and to apply this to the asymmetric synthesis of the gephyrotoxin alkoids.Chapters Two and Three outline the development of a synthetic route towards a range of cascade precursors, whilst Chapter Four outlines investigations into the enamine-Michael cascade. Central to understanding the cascade process was the discovery that the major product of the enamine-Michael cascade was the unusual tricyclic hydroquinium salt. This can subsequently be engaged in a diastereoselective inter- or intramolecular reduction to afford either a trans-perhydro-[1,2-a]-quinoline or a tetracyclic aminal in high overall yield depending on the C1 oxygen substituent.This thesis is not currently available via ORA